It’s no secret what the Kansas City Chiefs are setting out to do as the 2025 season nears.
All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce said it out loud when talking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon at training camp.
When asked why he is still going as hard as he is, getting ready for his 13th season in the NFL, and amid retirement rumors, the superstar had a simple answer.
“Trying to win Super Bowls, man,” Kelce told the media. “It’s the only way you get there.
“And I think it starts in the offseason, and when you get out here to St. Joe, and you get into training camp, it really signifies coming together.
“The chemistry, the culture that you need to have to keep getting better every single day, every single week throughout the year, and hopefully playing your best football by December, January and February.”
NFL
Travis Kelce reveals ambitious career goals amid claims he could retire at end of season
Jack Savage, US Sports Writer
It’s no secret what the Kansas City Chiefs are setting out to do as the 2025 season nears.
All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce said it out loud when talking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon at training camp.
ST JOSEPH, MISSOURI – AUGUST 06: Head coach Andy Reid talks with Travis Kelce #87 during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University on August 06, 2025 in St Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Chiefs are trying to get the sour ending of Super Bowl LIX out of their mouthsCredit: Getty
When asked why he is still going as hard as he is, getting ready for his 13th season in the NFL, and amid retirement rumors, the superstar had a simple answer.
“Trying to win Super Bowls, man,” Kelce told the media. “It’s the only way you get there.
“And I think it starts in the offseason, and when you get out here to St. Joe, and you get into training camp, it really signifies coming together.
“The chemistry, the culture that you need to have to keep getting better every single day, every single week throughout the year, and hopefully playing your best football by December, January and February.”
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After the humiliating 40-22 defeat in Super Bowl LIX at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, there was speculation that Kelce would call it a career and hang them up.
After all, there were times during the regular season that he looked slow and sluggish out there. There’s no doubt that the 35-year-old isn’t what he once was, but he was still effective when he needed to be.
And at this point in his career, he knows when to flip the switch. That’s usually geared come January and into February, but still there were questions about whether or not he wanted to continue playing.
“I’ve been lucky to be here 13 years,” Kelce continued.
“I just absolutely love this organization, this team… What gives me more juice than anything is that we’ve created this culture, this machine… What we’re doing here is special.”
It’s clear that he, Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid have ring No.4 on their minds.
Save the retirement talk for later. Kelce shook off all those doubts on an episode of his New Heights podcast in March.
“I love playing,” Kelce said.
“I still feel like I could play it at a high level, and possibly at a higher level than I did last year.
“I don’t think it was my best outing. I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments when I helped them, especially when you look at my track record, and how I’ve been in years past.”
It was clear Kelce wasn’t satisfied in not only how 2024 ended, but his overall performance throughout the year.He finished the season with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns. Very good numbers for most, but extremely modest for the future first ballot Hall of Famer.For the first time in what feels like forever, the Chiefs aren’t heading into the season as the hunted. They aren’t the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time since 2022.
It’s back to work for the Chiefs.
Work that Kelce isn’t running away from, but rather straight to. It’s time to go to work, and Kelce wants all the smoke.
